ASUM Bear Necessities
Case Management or Student Support appointments can be scheduled via email or through Navigate.
We understand that students have busy schedules, so our team works hard to provide appointment availability throughout the week with the hope that at least one 45-minute window will work for you! For the best view of our availability please log in to Navigate and schedule a "Hardships" appointment with any member of our team.
Can't or don't want to schedule an appointment? Walk-in hours are available in the Liberal Arts Building in the 2nd floor study space Tuesdays and Wednesdays 11:00 - 1:00 through the end of the fall semester.
Please reach out if you need help scheduling!
Our Team -
Kat Cowley, Program Manager
Lucy Hicks, Program Coordinator
Riley Hickey, Practicum Student
Mission
The ASUM Bear Necessities agency supports students experiencing basic needs insecurity, closes gaps in resources for students, and advocates for change to prevent future need.
Looking for information about the ASUM Hardship Fund?
As of Friday 12/12/25 the ASUM Hardship Fund and associated funds are CLOSED for the semester. Students experiencing hardship are still encouraged to make an appointment with our team! We can help you connect to off-campus resources, and otherwise engage in creative problem-solving to help fill gaps. All funds will re-open on the first day of spring semester classes 1/15/2026.
The Hardship Fund is intended to support students experiencing emergency financial strain that is limiting their academic success or progress in their degree path. Students experiencing need related to identity-based harm, and students inquiring about the Indigenous Students Fund may still have fund support available.
Looking for information about the FAST Fund?
Read more and apply online here! The Faculty and Students Together (FAST) Fund is managed by a committee in partnership with the University Faculty Association.
As of 12/12/25 the FAST Fund is closed for the semester. We anticipate that the fund will re-open at the start of the spring semester.
Request for a Bear Necessities Team Member to Come to You!
The ASUM Bear Necessities team consists of three case management staff members with a variety of expertise and experience. One of our passions is engaging with students, providing education on the resources available to them, and encouraging them to be advocates for basic needs insecurity at the University of Montana.
If you are a UM student, staff or faculty member and would like to request someone from Bear Necessities to come speak with your club, office, or class, please fill out this form and we will get back to you as soon as possible. Topics we can present on include:
- Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for college students
- Basic needs efforts at the University of Montana and how to get involved
- ASUM Bear Necessities and the UM Food Pantry offerings and/or impact
- Basic needs resources available on- and off-campus
- How to support students living through or on the edge of basic needs insecurity and connect them to Bear Necessities
- Other topics as requested that align with our scope of practice
Due to our capacity as a small team, spots are limited to about two presentations per team member each month. If we cannot accommodate your request, we will reach out to offer other potential dates for the following month.
If you have any questions, or would like further information, email Lucy.Hicks@mso.umt.edu.
Request a Presentation Here! Please note that this link is NOT intended for scheduling appointments. To schedule an appointment with our case management team please find us in Navigate under 'Hardships'.
Contact
Kat Cowley, Director
-
Call: (406) 243-2017
- Email: kat.cowley@mso.umt.edu
Hours and Location
- Monday - Friday 9:00am - 4:30pm
- University Center Room 118
- Closed for University holidays
About Us
Bear Necessities has three arms of service:
- Direct Support in the form of case management and food distribution through the UM Food Pantry.
- Education through our resource library (available in office and online) and events.
- Advocacy for the implementation of additional programming to support students experiencing needs insecurity.
Bear Necessities provides support for students living through or on the edge of basic needs insecurity. Through connecting students with badly-needed resources, helping determine priorities and next steps, and providing emotional support, Bear Necessities staff can wade through difficult situations with students so they do not need to go it alone. Poverty can feel like a full-time job! We are here to help students find ways to have their needs met while also protecting their time to succeed in academics and their personal life.
The work we do is important not only because basic necessities are a human right, but also because by increasing student access to basic needs we enhance their educational experience, increase progress toward their educational goals, and improve UM students’ retention rates.
Inclusion Statement
Bear Necessities is dedicated to supporting & empowering all students by educating ourselves on the experiences of marginalized students & working to deconstruct the systems of power & oppression that contribute to basic needs insecurities among students whose lived experiences are impacted by their race, religion, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, neurodiversity, disability, and/or marital, parental, and veteran status.